London (Londres) is a city of layers—Roman walls beneath glass towers, medieval chapels beside world-leading museums, and pub signs that have swung through three centuries of gossip. Founded by the Romans as Londinium, it grew into the hub of a far-flung empire and now welcomes the world to its theatres, galleries, parks, and markets.

It’s a city of icons: Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, and the Thames. But it’s also the little things—the hiss of a flat white at Monmouth Coffee, buskers in Covent Garden, and Sunday blooms at Columbia Road—that turn a trip into a memory.

Practicalities: tap your contactless card or use an Oyster card on the Tube and buses; book major sights and West End tickets ahead; and pack layers for swift weather changes. London dining runs from exceptional curry to modern British nose-to-tail—arrive hungry.

London

London’s neighborhoods each carry a mood: stately Westminster, slick City skyscrapers, bohemian Shoreditch, refined Kensington, leafy Greenwich. Wander by foot whenever you can—the best views often appear between “must-sees.”

Top highlights include the Tower of London’s Crown Jewels, a Thames-side walk between Tate Modern and St Paul’s, the Victoria & Albert’s design troves, and afternoon tea in a storied salon. Evenings gleam with West End musicals, jazz dens, and classic pubs with polished brass and cask ales.

Stay: For hotels and apartments near the action, compare neighborhoods like Covent Garden (walkable, theatre), South Bank (river views, Tate Modern), Kensington (museums, quieter), and Shoreditch (creative, nightlife).

• Browse London apartments on VRBO (great for space and kitchens).
• Compare London hotels on Hotels.com (from boutique to five-star).

Getting in & around: Heathrow to central London is 15 min on Heathrow Express (~£25) to Paddington, ~30–35 min on the Elizabeth line (~£13), or ~50–60 min on the Piccadilly line (Tube, ~£5–7). Gatwick Express to Victoria is ~30 min (~£20), or Thameslink to London Bridge/St Pancras is ~30–40 min (~£13–15). Stansted Express to Liverpool Street is ~45–50 min (~£21–25). Book UK trains and coaches with Omio (trains) and Omio (buses). For flights within Europe, compare prices on Omio (flights); for long-haul into London, try Kiwi.com.

Day 1: Arrival, South Bank Walk, and Skyline Sundown

Morning: In transit. If you arrive early, drop bags at your hotel and fuel up with a flat white and a pastry at Prufrock Coffee (Leather Lane)—barista champions pulling meticulous espresso.

Afternoon: Stretch your legs along the South Bank: from Waterloo past the London Eye, the National Theatre, and book stalls to Tate Modern. Duck into Gail’s Jubilee Place or WatchHouse Tower Bridge for a snack. If you have time, pop into Tate Modern’s Blavatnik Building for sweeping river views (free).

Evening: Reserve the free-ticket Sky Garden for sunset (book ahead). Dinner nearby at Padella Shoreditch (silky hand-rolled pasta; arrive early, no bookings) or Dishoom Shoreditch (Bombay comfort food; order black daal and a house chai). Nightcap at Swift Soho (upstairs for spritzes; downstairs for serious cocktails).

Day 2: Royal Westminster, Covent Garden, and the West End

Morning: Classic London breakfast at Regency Café (art deco, hearty fry-ups, cash/card accepted). Tour Westminster Abbey (royal coronations since 1066) and photograph Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Stroll St James’s Park to the Buckingham Palace gates.

Afternoon: Explore Covent Garden—arcades, performers, the Apple Market. Coffee at Monmouth Coffee; then browse the London Transport Museum if you’re keen on design. Lunch at The Palomar (Jerusalem-inspired small plates; polenta Jerusalem and kubaneh bread are standouts) or Barrafina (Spanish counter dining; impeccable tortilla, razor clams).

Evening: See a West End show—long-runners like The Lion King (Lyceum), Wicked (Apollo Victoria), or Les Misérables (Sondheim) are reliable crowd-pleasers. Pre-theatre prix fixe at Brasserie Zédel (grand Parisian brasserie, great value) or post-show pints at The Harp (award-winning real ale).

Day 3: Tower of London, the City, and Shoreditch Street Art

Morning: Arrive early at the Tower of London to see the Crown Jewels before lines. Walk across Tower Bridge and wander St Katharine Docks. Coffee and a pastel de nata at Wapping’s Bread Lab or try a riverside café if you linger.

Afternoon: Head to St Paul’s Cathedral; climb the dome for a 360° city panorama. Cross the Millennium Bridge for a quick photo back toward the Cathedral. Late lunch at Emilia’s Crafted Pasta (St Katharine Docks) or Koya City (udon and broths, minimalist perfection).

Evening: Explore Shoreditch: snap murals along Redchurch St and around Brick Lane. Dinner at Gunpowder (Spitalfields—robust Indian plates; Kashmiri lamb chops are a must) or Smoking Goat (Thai barbecue, bold flavors). Jazz-age cocktails at Nightjar or innovative pours at Tayēr + Elementary (World’s 50 Best regular).

Day 4: Kensington Museums, Hyde Park, and Notting Hill

Morning: Coffee at Kaffeine (Fitzrovia) or Pophams (Hackney-to-South Kensington detour for laminated pastry heaven). Dive into the Victoria & Albert Museum (design, fashion, Islamic art) and the Natural History Museum (hint: blue whale in Hintze Hall). Both are free; special exhibits require tickets.

Afternoon: Lunch at CERU South Kensington (Eastern Mediterranean—hummus, lamb, bright salads). Stroll Hyde Park to the Serpentine, or tour Kensington Palace. Splurge on afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason’s Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon (classic) or Sketch (playful art-forward rooms; book well ahead).

Evening: Notting Hill wander—past pastel terraces and literary blue plaques. Dinner at Maggie Jones’s (cozy British roasts, candles and baskets) or spicy-Thai-in-a-pub at The Churchill Arms (its floral façade is a legend). Gelato at Gelupo near Piccadilly if you drift back toward the centre.

Day 5: Borough Market, Tate Modern, and the South Bank

Morning: Start at Borough Market (arrive by 10am). Snack your way through: Bread Ahead doughnuts, Kappacasein grilled cheese, Brindisa chorizo roll. Coffee at Monmouth Borough.

Afternoon: Tour Shakespeare’s Globe (or catch a matinee in season). Explore Tate Modern galleries and installations. If it’s a weekend, detour to Maltby Street Market (short walk; compact street of indie traders) for additional bites.

Evening: Riverside walk toward the Southbank Centre and Waterloo. Dinner at Skylon (views, modern European) or keep it casual at Hoppers (Sri Lankan kothu and hoppers, Soho). Pints under the arches on the Bermondsey Beer Mile (Fri/Sat best), or cocktails with St Paul’s views at Madison Rooftop.

Day 6: Day Trip to Windsor Castle (Royal Retreat)

How to get there: Two easy routes. 1) London Waterloo → Windsor & Eton Riverside: ~55 min direct, frequent, ~£13–£22 return off-peak. 2) London Paddington → Slough → Windsor & Eton Central: ~35–40 min total via the Elizabeth line/Great Western and a 6-min branch. Compare and book with Omio (trains).

Day plan: Tour Windsor Castle (the world’s oldest and largest occupied castle; State Apartments and St George’s Chapel are highlights). Stroll the Long Walk for postcard views, then cross the bridge to Eton for high-street antiques and collegiate architecture.

Food & drink: Coffee at Augustus Place near the station. Lunch at The Two Brewers (classic British plates) or The Alma for a relaxed pub vibe. Back in London, dinner at St. JOHN Bread and Wine (Spitalfields—legendary nose-to-tail; order the Welsh rarebit and a seasonal pud) or Kiln (Soho—smoky Thai grill at the counter).

Day 7: Bloomsbury, British Museum, and a Canal-to-Camden Farewell

Morning: Coffee and a pastry at Store Street Espresso, then the British Museum (Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures, and a globe-spanning collection—free; consider a highlights tour). If it’s a Sunday, consider an early spin through the Columbia Road Flower Market first (8am–3pm), then head to Bloomsbury.

Afternoon: Lunch in Fitzrovia at Rovi (Ottolenghi’s veg-forward menu with ferments and fire) or Honey & Co. Daily (Middle Eastern bakes and salads). Walk the Regent’s Canal from Little Venice or Regent’s Park to Camden Market (vintage stalls, street eats). Climb Primrose Hill for a final skyline look.

Evening: Tapas counter dinner at Barrafina (arrive early for a stool) or steak night at Flat Iron (wallet-friendly, quality beef; free salted caramel soft-serve at the end). Celebrate with martinis at the Connaught Bar (glamorous, book ahead) or cask ale at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese (rebuilt 1667; a Dickensian warren).

Where to Stay (Neighborhood Cheat Sheet)

• Covent Garden/Soho: Walk to theatres, dining, and the British Museum. Boutique options and lively nights.
• South Bank/London Bridge: For Tate Modern, Borough Market, and river views.
• Kensington: Museum triangle, calmer streets, good for families.
• Shoreditch/Spitalfields: Creative energy, street art, independent boutiques.

Search deals: Hotels.com – London | VRBO – London

Practical Tips

• Transport: Contactless cards cap daily fares; the Tube is fastest, but buses give you a cheap city tour from the top deck.
• Tickets: Book Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, Churchill War Rooms, and Sky Garden slots ahead—especially in summer.
• Markets: Borough (Mon–Sat; limited Sun), Portobello (best Sat), Columbia Road (Sun mornings), Maltby Street (weekends).
• Weather: Carry a compact umbrella and wear layers. Evenings can be breezy by the Thames.
• Shows: West End matinees are great value and free your evenings for dinners and pub culture.

Flying in from abroad? Compare fares on Kiwi.com. Traveling within Europe or around the UK? Check Omio flights, Omio trains, and Omio buses.

Prefer your own kitchen or a stylish pied-à-terre? Find London flats on VRBO, or browse top-reviewed hotels on Hotels.com.

Seven days in London give you time to savor royal history, museum masterpieces, river walks, and plate after plate of memorable food. With this itinerary you’ll catch the classics and the local gems—from Columbia Road’s flowers to a late-night jazz cocktail—leaving just enough mystery to plan your return.